Scouting Centenary

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what Government support will be made available for the Centenary of Scouting in 2007; which Minister has been designated to lead Government support for the Centenary; and if she will make a statement.

Edward Miliband: As Minister for the Third Sector, I want to ensure the Government plays a role in supporting the Centenary of Scouting celebrations. Officials from the Office of the Third Sector are currently working with the Scout Association to consider how the Government can support the Centenary of Scouting in 2007.

Persistent/Prolific Offenders

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Solicitor-General what steps he is  (a) taking and  (b) plans to take to ensure the successful prosecution by the Crown Prosecution Service of persistent and prolific offenders.

Mike O'Brien: As I have previously indicated on 27 April 2006,  Official Report, column 1264W, persistent and prolific offenders receive a 'Premium Service' from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and other criminal justice agencies. CPS prosecutors review the progress of these cases with local police crime managers at regular meetings and the CPS work with the courts to give these cases priority listing. The full extent of the criminal activity is brought to the attention of the court.
	The CPS will continue to work closely at a national and local level with colleagues in the criminal justice system, particularly the police, in order to bring to justice those prolific and priority offenders who are causing the most harm to their communities.

Freedom of Information Act

Paul Truswell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans the Government have to change the charging arrangements in relation to requests under the Freedom of Information Act; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The fees regime is still under review and the Government have not yet made a decision on what changes should be made to the present regime.

Judicial Powers

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what consultation process was undertaken in relation to the Government's proposals to give judges the power to order the withdrawal of a defendant's solicitor or barrister from certain trials, as published in proposals by her Department.

Vera Baird: holding answer 13 September 2006
	The Consultation Paper "Proposals to create judicial powers to manage conflict of interest and capacity issues in Very High Cost Cases" was published on 4 August 2006 and responses are required by 27 October 2006. It is available on the DCA's website and we have sent copies to key stakeholders. In addition, copies of the Consultation Paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. We are keen to ensure the widest range of views are considered. We have already discussed the proposals with the judiciary and the professional bodies. We will publish our response at the beginning of November on the DCA's website and copies will be available in the Libraries of both Houses.

Creative Industries (Funding)

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to protect the budgets of those publicly funded organisations which promote creative industries.

Shaun Woodward: HM Treasury announced in July 2005 that there would be a Comprehensive Spending Review of Government spending. As part of this work the Department has been asked to identify how value for money could be improved. The Department is also compiling evidence on the wider benefits that our sectors bring for areas including the economy and community.
	The Department has ensured that all of its sectors, including the Creative Industries, have been engaged with this process. DCMS is currently working with relevant NDPBs to finalise this.

UK Film Council

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the reasons for the difference in funding for film projects by the UK Film Council in  (a) the City of Brighton and Hove and  (b) West Sussex.

Shaun Woodward: The difference in funding for film projects between the City of Brighton and Hove and West Sussex is a reflection of the level of film making activity in each of the areas.
	Since funding applications are necessarily considered on a project by project basis, the density of awards made in Brighton and Hove is attributable to the relative level of film activity in the area. Many more applications are received from the Brighton and Hove (341) than from West Sussex (87).
	It should be noted however that the proportion of successful applications to Screen South, the Regional Screen Agency for the South East, is in fact higher in West Sussex than in Brighton and Hove, with an average of 48 per cent. proceeding to award over the last four years compared with an average of 40 per cent. in Brighton and Hove over the same period.
	Equally, applications to UK Film Council central funds show the same trend: more applications have been received from Brighton and Hove (140) than from West Sussex (51), but of those latter a higher percentage proceeded to award—25 per cent. as against 14 per cent.

Wicksteed Park

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Minister with responsibility for creative industries and tourism will meet  (a) a small delegation from the Wicksteed Trust and  (b) the hon. Member for Kettering to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the future of Wicksteed Park, Kettering.

Shaun Woodward: Subject to my other commitments, I should be very pleased to look into the possibility of a meeting with the hon. Member to discuss Wicksteed Park. I look forward to his contacting my office to discuss a convenient date.

Affordable Rural Housing Commission

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when her Department will respond to the recommendations of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission.

Yvette Cooper: The Government are already taking forward many of the recommendations of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission. It's proposals are being fed into a series of progress of work including the Comprehensive Spending Review and the forthcoming planning policy statement on housing. We will also shortly be setting up a website on which we will post progress we are making towards improving access to affordable housing in rural areas and examples of best practice in the light of the Affordable Rural Housing Commissions report.

Casino Advisory Panel

Justine Greening: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what processes were involved in choosing the members of the Casino Advisory Panel; and what direct input he had in those procedures.

Richard Caborn: I have been asked to reply.
	The role specification for the chair and members of the Casino Advisory Panel was agreed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and myself. The appointments were advertised in  The Sunday Times on 5 June 2005, and on public appointments and DCMS websites. The closing date for applications was 24 June 2005.
	The shortlist of candidates for interview was ratified by Richard Caborn, who also considered the recommendations of the selection panel after the interviews had taken place, and decided whom to appoint.
	The selection panel was chaired by the head of Gambling, Lotteries and Licensing Division. The panel also comprised two independent assessors, who are trained by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) to conduct such processes in accordance with the Commissioner's Code.
	These three people met to sift applications in order to recommend a shortlist to the Minister. They met again to hold interviews, at which the potential for conflict of interest was discussed in every case, following which their views were submitted to the Minister for him to make his decision. Officials obtained statements from the successful candidates of their private interests, and assessed these for the potential for actual or perceived conflict of interest.
	The selection criteria for the roles were contained in the role specification, which was sent out to all interested candidates. This document informed the sift of applications and the general framing of questions at interview.
	The Deputy Prime Minister had no involvement in the appointment of the panel.

Housing

Paul Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the  (a) need and  (b) demand for affordable housing provided by local authorities in (i) Leeds and (ii) England; and what action she is taking to encourage and enable the provision of such housing.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 13 September 2006
	Government do not produce national or local assessments of the need and demand for affordable housing. Regional assemblies and local planning authorities are responsible for producing regional and local assessments of housing need.
	We encourage and enable provision of affordable housing primarily through the payment of Social Housing Grant by the Housing Corporation to registered social landlords and unregistered bodies. The Government also assist local authorities to maximise the contribution made by the planning system consistent with creating sustainable communities, set out in draft Planning Policy Statement 3 'Housing' (December 2005), and provide guidance on requiring developer contributions through planning obligations for the provision of affordable housing. The Government are also consulting on new ways consulting on new ways of increasing the role of authorities in meeting local housing needs.

Housing

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many families were on waiting lists for social housing in each English local authority at the latest date for which figures are available.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 13 September 2006
	Waiting list data at a local authority level for England and Wales are available from the Annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) and published on an annual basis on the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) website. The list data includes people who have applied for social housing but does not assess need. The latest available data are for 2005. The accuracy of the list will vary as it depends on how frequently and effectively local authorities update their lists.
	The hon. Member is referred to the DCLG website at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/853/Table600Excel126Kb_id1163853.xls.

Local Government Targets

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local government targets the Government has  (a) introduced and  (b) abolished in each of the last nine years.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 13 September 2006
	Performance indicators and targets are currently set for local government by a number of different Government departments under separate performance management regimes. The number of centrally-set performance indicators and targets applicable to any individual local authority varies and will depend on the type of local authority (for example county council, district council, unitary authority or London borough) and the individual grant or funding regimes it accesses. Not all indicators have targets set against them.
	Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) were introduced in 2000-01 in order to enable central Government to monitor progress over a period of time, allow authorities to compare their performance against that of their peers and provide residents with information about the performance of their local authority. BVPIs are also a key component of the framework developed by the Audit Commission to inform Comprehensive Performance Assessment judgments.
	The Government sets targets against 3 BVPIs. Local authorities are expected to set their own targets for improvement against the remaining 87 BVPIs.
	There are also a number of 'floor' targets, setting minimum standards that every area should meet, which have been set by central Government as part of each Spending Review since 2000. These floor targets now cover six thematic areas: crime, education, housing, employment, health and liveability, and are designed to help reduce the gap between the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest.

Retail Developments

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will ensure that the presumption that large shops should be built in town centres rather than out of town continues; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Government remain committed to promoting the vitality and viability of town centres and a town-centre first policy approach. "Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for town centres", published in March 2005, applies to all main town centre uses, including large retail development.

Supporting People Strategy

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate her Department has made of the cost of administering Supporting People payments for older people living in sheltered housing; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) does not have a specific estimate for the administrative costs of Supporting People with regard to older people living in sheltered housing.
	DCLG provides a grant to top-tier local authorities as a contribution to their costs in administering the Supporting People programme; this grant totals £40 million for England in the current year. Administrative costs to service providers of supported housing will be covered within the contracts they hold with local authorities, and are not therefore identifiable within the information held by central government.

Benefit Payments

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many methods of calculation are available to decision makers in his Department making decisions on overpayment of benefits; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: There is one method of calculation that can occur at a number of stages throughout the decision making process.
	There are two elements to a decision on an overpayment of benefit.
	Initially, where it becomes apparent to the Department that the information on which entitlement to a benefit is based is incorrect, a review of that entitlement is carried out. A calculation is then made comparing what the entitlement should have been based on the correct facts, and compared with what was actually paid.
	If an overpayment has occurred, a Decision Maker then determines whether that overpayment can be recovered under Social Security Legislation. When reaching that decision, the Decision Maker must be satisfied that the customer or their representative has failed to disclose or has misrepresented a material fact, including a change in their circumstances. Where an overpayment has arisen as a result of a customer's misrepresentation or failure to disclose, Section 71 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 allows the recovery of that overpayment.
	The decision can be disputed by the customer and automatically provides a right of appeal on the grounds of whether there has been misrepresentation or failure to disclose and the amount determined. Where a decision is disputed, a Decision Maker can review a decision and make a fresh decision, either on the amount of the overpayment, or on the basis of its recoverability. A fresh decision is then issued against which further rights of appeal are provided.
	This legislation covers the vast majority of overpayments that are determined to be recoverable under Social Security legislation.

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what funding his Department provides to citizens advice bureaux.

James Plaskitt: The Department for Work and Pensions does not provide core funding to Citizens Advice Bureaux. We do however, on occasion, provide funding for specific initiatives that support the Department's aims and objectives. Most recently, £1.65 million in funding has been provided to 24 bureaux, for the period March 2005 to February 2007, from the Department's Partnership Fund, which is aimed at encouraging initiatives to support the take up of Pension Credit.

Disability Equality

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what  (a) information gathering and  (b) other actions (i) his Department and (ii) other bodies are taking to inform the production of the report on progress towards disability equality within the work and pensions policy sector.

James Plaskitt: All relevant areas of DWP Policy will be considered in the report on progress. We will seek an assessment of progress from the principal authorities which deliver services funded or regulated by the Secretary of State including local authorities administering housing benefit, as well as the executive agencies and non-Departmental Public Bodies of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	We are considering what specific information needs to be collected to be able to publish our report in 1 December 2008.

Post Office Card Accounts

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who use post office card accounts to receive benefits and pensions are aged  (a) under 60,  (b) 60 to 69,  (c) 70 to 79 and  (d) 80 and above.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The following table shows the number of DWP benefit and pension payment accounts being paid by direct payment into a Post Office card account at 10 June 2006.
	These figures do not include Post Office card accounts used by other Government Departments to pay benefits and tax credits.
	
		
			  Age  Benefit and pension accounts 
			 Under 60 1,271,360 
			 60-69 925,300 
			 70-79 1,286,220 
			 80 and over 954,090 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  2. Figures refer to benefit and pension payment accounts live and in payment on the specified date. People in receipt of more than one benefit/pension have been counted for each separate benefit/pension in payment. People who have their benefit/pension combined and paid at the same time have only been counted through the paying benefit

Post Office Card Accounts

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will ensure that pensioners whose pension credit is paid via a Post Office card account are not advised that they must have a bank account to receive their awards in the future.

James Plaskitt: Pensioners do not have a bank account to receive pension credit. However, we have always made it clear that payment into a bank account is the best option for the overwhelming majority of customers, and so it is only right that we alert customers to the fact that there are accounts that may better meet their needs. For example, many are missing out on the savings that direct debits can bring and on interest paid on balances. Around 25 different bank accounts can be accessed at Post Office branches now. The Post Office has already introduced one new account—the Instant Saver—and plans to introduce more new accounts in the future.

International Criminal Court

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will review the operating procedures of the International Criminal Court following the pleas by some governments and organisations to seek clemency in the case of those Lords Resistance Army bodies who have been indicted.

Kim Howells: The UK has long worked for a peaceful solution to the long running conflict in Northern Uganda. The recent cessation of hostilities and on-going negotiations relating to Northern Uganda are a promising step. However, it is clear that there is much work still to be done to bring a sustainable peace to the region.
	The UK, along with the rest of the EU, is a strong supporter—in principle and in practice—of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which was established to prosecute the most serious crimes of international concern. In July 2004, the ICC launched an investigation into the situation in Northern Uganda, following referral of the situation by the Government of Uganda. In October 2005, the ICC unsealed warrants for the arrest of five senior members of the Lord's Resistance Army.
	The operating procedures of the ICC, including the issue of warrants, are a matter for the Court and we respect its independence. We urge all parties to fulfil their obligations under the Statute of the Court. The ICC has made clear that it is following developments closely and remains in close contact with the Government of Uganda and the wider international community.

Iran

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her  (a) United Nations,  (b) European Union and  (c) United States counterparts on the Iranian nuclear dispute; whether the issue of possible United Nations sanctions against Iran was raised during these discussions; and whether the UK Government will support the application of such sanctions if Iran fails to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1690.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 13 September 2006
	I have discussed Iran many times with my counterparts in the EU, US and other countries, both in the run-up to the adoption of United States Security Council Resolution 1696 on 31 July and subsequently.
	Resolution 1696 called on Iran to take the steps required by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors and made mandatory on Iran a full suspension of all uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities. The Security Council asked the IAEA Director-General, Dr. Mohammed El-Baradei, to report on Iranian compliance by 31 August. The Council expressed its intention to "adopt appropriate measures under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations" if Iran did not comply.
	Dr. El-Baradei's report makes clear that Iran has not suspended its enrichment related and reprocessing activities, nor taken the other steps required by the IAEA Board. We are now discussing next steps with our EU and Security Council partners.
	We remain committed to a diplomatic solution, and continue to urge Iran to take the steps required by the Security Council and the IAEA Board, reinstate a full suspension and return to negotiations on the basis of the proposals presented by the "E3+3" (France, Germany, UK + China, Russia, US) on 6 June.

Middle East

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance she  (a) has given and  (b) plans to offer to the state of Israel to assist that country in fighting (i) Hezbollah terrorists and (ii) other terrorism; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government are engaged in building bilateral and multilateral relationships and works closely with a wide range of countries on counter-terrorism. There is close co-operation between many UK organisations including the police, security and intelligence agencies and Whitehall Departments with many other countries. It is not the normal practice of the Government to comment on the specifics of such matters. To do so can harm operational effectiveness, assist the terrorists and damage co-operative relationships beneficial to the UK's own security.

UN General Assembly

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which officials from her Department will be attending the opening session of the 61st UN General Assembly in New York on 12 September.

Kim Howells: Officials from the UK Permanent Mission to the UN attended the first meeting of the 61st UN General Assembly on 12 September.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon, and I plan to attend UN General Assembly (UNGA) Ministerial Week (19-22 September). Most of the UN's 192 member states are sending their Head of Government, State or Foreign Minister. As the largest annual gathering of senior foreign policy makers, it is an important opportunity to take forward the Government's foreign policy priorities.
	There will be a large number of multilateral events in the margins of the main UNGA Plenary. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers will participate in all the major events, and will also hold more than 60 separate bilateral meetings with key UN partners. As is usual, Ministers will be supported by FCO officials from the UK Permanent Mission to the UN and from London.

Discovering Lost Ways Project

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many lost ways have been identified under the Discovering Lost Ways Project; and how many of these go through private property;
	(2)  what the cost to date is of the Discovering Lost Ways Project.

Barry Gardiner: The Discovering Lost Ways project is currently in its pilot phase. Research methods are being tested in Cheshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and Shropshire, with a view to determining whether the approach works well, and can be rolled out across the country. Because no lost ways will be identified until the pilot phase is complete, I cannot advise on the number passing through private property. If a lost way were to prove problematic for a landowner, a process already exists whereby the local authority may effect a suitable diversion or extinguish the right of way.
	The results for Cheshire and Shropshire, which will provide strong documentary evidence, will be available in spring and autumn 2007 respectively.
	The estimated total cost of the project over 19 years is £15 million, including the additional resources needed to facilitate the process of recording the rights of way on the definitive map and statement (the local authorities' legal record of rights of way).

English Nature

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much English Nature spent on  (a) conservation and nature management programmes and  (b) salaries in (i) 2004-05 and (ii) 2005-06; and what estimates have been made of expenditure in each category in 2006-07.

Barry Gardiner: English Nature's entire expenditure effectively supports conservation and nature management, including salary costs, so it is not possible to meaningfully separate out an amount spent on conservation and nature management. The Grant in Aid paid to English Nature over the period concerned was £68.6 million in 2004-05, £73.1 million in 2005-06 and the planned amount for 2006-07 is £74.4 million.
	English Nature advise that its salary costs for each year are £30.6 million for 2004-05, £34.9 million for 2005-06 and £34.7 million expected for 2006-07.
	The 2006-07 figures are subject to change following the transition to Natural England in mid-year.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme on the profitability of the power generation sector in Phase 1 of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

Ian Pearson: A report, "Implications of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for the UK Power Generation Sector", commissioned by the Government, was published in 2005 by IPA Energy Consulting Ltd on the DTI website:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file33199.pdf
	Further analysis conducted by the DTI has suggested that this report may over estimate the profits to electricity generators. This is because some power suppliers have not been passing the full costs of the EU ETS on to retail industrial and domestic customers, indicating that generators who have both wholesale and retail customers could be using some of their windfall profits to subsidise their retail customers.

Flood Defences (Essex)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what special measures will be taken during the extraordinary high tides expected in autumn 2006 to protect low lying areas of the Essex coast line and islands lying off Essex.

Ian Pearson: This autumn, the lunar effect on the tides will be greater than average. However, this does not mean that there will be flooding. Weather conditions are critical in determining whether potential flood risk generated by high tides actually results in a flood.
	Defences in Essex are already prepared for high tides. Tidal surges in the North Sea can lead to flooding throughout the year and the maintenance regime and operational procedures take this into account.
	The Flood Warning system sends warnings to those at risk of flooding along the Essex coast and has recently been upgraded with the introduction of new technology. This allows flood warnings to be sent out in a timely and efficient manner to everyone in a flood risk area who has registered for this free service.
	The Flood Warning system also links into the emergency planning and resilience structure for Essex. Regular meetings are held between the major response parties to ensure that, in a flooding situation, the response is co-ordinated and seamless. Extra meetings and briefings have taken place in Essex before the flood season to ensure that flood plans and procedures are in place to deal with any flooding that may occur.

GM Organisms

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times unauthorised genetically modified organisms  (a) entered the UK and  (b) entered the food chain in the UK in each year since 1997; and what the (i) substance and (ii) country of origin was in each case.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	Relevant cases since 1997 are as follows:
	In 2000, a batch of rape seed from Canada supplied to United Kingdom farmers was found to contain a proportion of a genetically modified (GM) variety called GT73. The growing of GT73 rape was not authorised, although food ingredients derived from the rapeseed were permitted.
	In 2000, a small sample of 25 tomato seeds from the United States were imported and grown in the UK but not for food or feed use. In 2003 it was discovered that this batch of seeds had been mislabelled by the US supplier and were of an unidentified GM variety. No GM tomato varieties are authorised to be grown in the UK.
	In 2000 it was reported that UK field trials with GM sugar beet contained approximately 0.5 per cent. of a second, unauthorised, line of GM beet. None of the affected beet entered the food chain. The company concerned indicated that the unauthorised event was likely to be present due to cross contamination during the production of beet seed in Germany.
	In August 2006, the US Department of Agriculture announced that some commercial long grain rice on the US market had been found to contain traces of the unauthorised variety LLRICE601. This genetically modified rice could therefore have been present in imports of US rice to the UK. This incident is still under investigation in the US. Recent reports of rice products from China containing GM rice are under investigation.

Military Losses

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on UK military losses in  (a) Afghanistan and  (b) Iraq.

Des Browne: holding answer 11 September 2006
	As at 12 September 2006, 40 British forces personnel have died serving on Operation Herrick, the UK military Operation in Afghanistan, which began in November 2001 and 118 British forces personnel have died serving on Operation Telic, the UK military Operation in Iraq, which began in March 2003.

Nuclear Deterrent

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his oral answer of 24 July 2006,  Official Report, column 587, on the nuclear deterrent, whether his Department has completed its assessment relating to the future of Trident including non-replacement; and whether he expects to issue a White Paper on the future of the nuclear deterrent.

Des Browne: holding answer 11 September 2006
	I have nothing further to add to the answers I gave on 24 July 2006,  Official Report, column 586, to the hon. Member for Cheadle (Mark Hunter), and to the hon. Member for Tamworth (Mr. Jenkins), on 24 July 2006,  Official Report, column 592.

British Crime Survey

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate his Department has made of the number of crimes which may be omitted from the British Crime Survey due to crimes defined as victimless being excluded; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 12 September 2006
	The recorded crime statistics collect details of certain victimless crimes which come to the attention of the police and are recorded by them but which are not included in the British Crime Survey. Specific examples of offences are:
	Possession of weapons Threat or possession with intent to commit criminal damage Drug offences. In addition, there are certain victimless crimes in various offence classification but they cannot be separately identified from other crimes where there is a victim. For example, a breach of a sex offender order can be deemed to be victimless but cannot be separately identified from other offences involving a victim which are also recorded under the crime classification 'Offences against the State and Public Order'. For this reason, it is not possible to provide an estimate of victimless crimes.

Prisons

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places at  (a) closed prisons and  (b) young offender institutions will be temporarily unavailable for accommodation during the 2006-07 financial year because of maintenance and refurbishment works; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: NOMS plans a rolling refurbishment and maintenance programme for the whole prison estate. This results in between 1,500 and 2,000 places being taken out of use at any one time across the estate as individual projects are initiated and completed. This also includes open prisons.

Ambulance Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulances are employed by the Sussex Ambulance Service; and what projections she has made about the number of ambulances which will be required if Worthing hospital Accident and Emergency Department were to close.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Care Homes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care homes  (a) exceeded,  (b) met,  (c) almost met and  (d) failed to meet (i) the national minimum standard for complaints procedures and (ii) Regulation (A) 5 and (B) 6 of the Care Homes Regulations 2001 in 2005-06.

Ivan Lewis: I am informed by the Chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) that data is collected on how care homes are meeting national minimum standards (NMS). CSCI inspects homes against the NMS to determine compliance with the Care Homes Regulations. Where the NMS are not met, this could indicate a breach of regulations and trigger a proportionate response from CSCI to ensure compliance.
	CSCI has a range of enforcement powers it can use against homes that fail to meet the regulations. Ultimately, it can bring about the closure of homes that continually provide poor care.
	Care Homes Regulations 5 and 6 set out requirements on information to be provided to people who use care homes. Regulation 22 sets out the requirements for complaints procedures. Compliance with these regulations is enforceable, subject to the following NMS being taken into account.
	 NMS—Care homes for Older People
	Standard 1 (Information)
	Standard 2 (Contracts)
	Standard 16 (Complaints)
	 NMS—Care homes for Younger Adults (18-65)
	Standard l (Information)
	Standard 5 (Contracts)
	Standard 22 (Concerns and Complaints)
	The following table shows the performance of care homes against the relevant standards in 2005-06.
	
		
			   Exceeded  Met  Almost met  Failed to meet 
			  2005-06  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			  Care homes for older people 
			 Standard 1—Information 217 2 7769 76 1922 19 277 3 
			 Standard 2—Contact 60 1 8440 84 1306 13 188 2 
			 Standard 16—Complaints 111 1 9054 86 1228 12 162 2 
			  Care homes for younger adults 
			 Standard 1—Information 213 3 5275 74 1427 20 188 3 
			 Standard 5—Needs Assessment 90 1 5383 77 1265 18 261 4 
			 Standard 22—Concerns and Complaints 131 2 6181 84 936 13 85 1 
			  Note: The information in the table does not cover all care homes, as not all care homes are inspected against every standard in a given year.

Departmental Initiatives

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the departmental initiatives for each year since 2000 which required bids for funding from  (a) voluntary organisations and  (b) local authorities together with the total resource allocated to each initiative in each year; how many successful bids there were in each year; what proportion this figure represents of the total bids received; and what assessment she has made of the costs of (i) preparing bids for each initiative and (ii) assessing those bids.

Ivan Lewis: For 2006-07, the Department will make available a total of just over £1,590 million of revenue funding through specific formula grants. Of this, £1,583 million will be allocated directly by the Department, and £7.5 million by other Government Departments.
	The vast majority of personal social services grants are allocated on a formula basis to local authorities. The table sets out those revenue grants for which the Department has responsibility which have required bids for funding from local authorities with social service responsibilities. There are only two both of which started in 2006-07:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Grant 
			   Partnerships for Older People Projects (POPP)  Individual budget pilots 
			 2000-01 — — 
			 2001-02 — — 
			 2002-03 — — 
			 2003-04 — — 
			 2004-05 — — 
			 2005-06 — — 
			 2006-07 (1)20 (2)6 
			 2007-08 (3, 4)40 (4)6 
			 (1) 144 applicants, 19 successful.(2) 75 applicants, 13 successful.(3) Of which £21,291,195 already announced to be allocated to the 19 round 1 POPP local authorities for the second year of 2-year projects.(4) Allocation tbc. Note:No formal assessment has been made of either the cost of submitting or assessment of these bids. 
		
	
	The information for the voluntary sector is not readily available and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs. The only information that is readily available since 2000 is the annual total value of approved section 64 General Scheme of Grants and I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire (Mr. Vara) on 3 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1710W.

Experimental Treatments

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trust hospitals have taken part in Phase 3 trials of pharmaceuticals; which  (a) hospitals and  (b) pharmaceutical companies were involved; and what income was received by each trust.

Ivan Lewis: For the period from September 2004 to September 2006, 260 United Kingdom hospitals have taken part in Phase III clinical trials of medicinal products. A table listing these hospitals has been placed in the Library. The number of pharmaceutical companies sponsoring Phase III clinical trials in the same time period is 215. These include companies based in the UK, other European Union member states and in non-European countries. A table listing these companies has been placed in the Library. Income accruing from the participation of trust hospitals in commercial clinical trials of medicinal products is not held centrally.

Health Information Campaigns

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department has spent on public health information campaigns on  (a) sexual health and  (b) safe alcohol consumption in each year from 1997 to 2005.

Caroline Flint: The following table sets out the cost of public health information campaigns and publicity on sexual health, teenage pregnancy and alcohol in each year from 1997 to 2005.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Sexual Health  Teenage Pregnancy  Alcohol( 1) 
			 1997-98 0 0.79 — 
			 1998-99 0 0.84 — 
			 1999-2000 0 1.18 — 
			 2000-01 0 5.35 — 
			 2001-02 0.3 2.74 — 
			 2002-03 1.5 1.97 0.097 
			 2003-04 1.6 2.15 0.045 
			 2004-05 1.27 0 0.342 
			 2005-06 0.62 0 0.064 
			 (1) There has been no major campaign expenditure on alcohol consumption in the financial years 1997-2005, so costs given relate to literature and website activity only. However the Department of Health and Home Office are developing a joint alcohol communications campaign for launch in October 2006. The Department is contribution £2 million to the cost of this campaign. 
		
	
	We only have financial information on alcohol expenditure for the last four years, as figures pre- 2002-03 were held on an old financial system, which is no longer accessible.

Home Oxygen Provision

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the provision of home oxygen cylinders in Kent.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 13 September 2006
	Following difficulties experienced in meeting the demand for home oxygen cylinders, especially standard and lightweight ambulatory cylinders, arrangements have now been made to make more cylinders available. The majority of patients in the two regions in the South East of England serviced by Allied Respiratory have transferred to the new supplier. Remaining patients are continuing to receive their oxygen cylinders through community pharmacies and are expected to transfer to Allied Respiratory over the next few weeks. Strategic health authorities and primary care trusts continue to monitor the situation and work with the supplier and clinicians to ensure patients needs are met.

Hospital Meals

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital meals were left untouched in each year since 2001-02; and what this figure represents as a percentage of the total number of patient main meals in each year.

Rosie Winterton: The total number of patient meals reported untouched in each year since 2001-02 together with the percentage of the total number of patient meals are as follows:
	
		
			   Untouched meals  (Number)  Untouched meals (Percentage of total meals) 
			 2001-02 12,498,786 8.86 
			 2002-03 15,501,471 10.44 
			 2003-04 17,396,869 10.71 
			 2004-05 13,128,964 10.21 
			 2005-06 13,622,984 9.75 
		
	
	This data is derived from the estates return information collection returns provided by trusts in England.
	The percentage of untouched meals is defined as:
	plated meal systems: the number (calculated over the full menu cycle or seven days where no menu cycle is used) of untouched/unserved patient meals remaining at the end of the meals service period expressed as a percentage of the total number of meals provided and available at the commencement of the meal service period; and
	bulk systems: an apportionment of remaining meals based on visual inspection expressed as percentage of the total number of meals able to be served.
	A patient meal is defined as either a breakfast, midday or evening meal order (or any substitute or alternative for any such meals) received from a patient (wards and departments) or the number of similar meals provided to wards and departments as an estimate of need where order systems are not in use.
	The data provided has not been amended centrally and the accuracy of this data is the responsibility of the provider organisation.

IT Contracts

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the value was of each IT contract awarded by her Department in each of the last five years; and who the contractor was in each case.

Ivan Lewis: The information provided does not cover executive agencies, other arms length bodies or NHS Connecting for Health.
	The names of the contractors and value of each information technology contract awarded by the Department in each of the last five years are:
	 1. Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC)—The information management services agreement, outsourced support for the Department's IT desktop services and infrastructure
	
		
			   Value (£ million) 
			 2002-03 7.65 
			 2003-04 8.85 
			 2004-05 8.77 
			 2005-06 7.47 
			 2006-07 (1)7.60 
			 (1) Forecast charges 
		
	
	Transformation of the infrastructure formed a separate part of the agreement. The outturn cost was a further £12.6 million.
	CSC also undertake IT infrastructure project work in support of the integrity, enhancement and resilience of the infrastructure in line with changing technologies. They also administer expenditure for IT services on behalf of the Department, for example British Telecom costs for the wide area network and business ports, and audio conferencing and mobile telephone costs. These project and pass through costs are listed as follows.
	
		
			   Value (£ million) 
			 2002-03 12.88 
			 2003-04 18.32 
			 2004-05 20.06 
			 2005-06 21.82 
			 2006-07 (1)21 
			 (1) Forecast charges 
		
	
	 2. Cap Gemini—Finance system agreement
	2004-05: £5.6 million.
	 3. IBM—Corporate software agreement
	2004-05: A three year contract with three annual payments totalling £1.4 million.
	 4. Xansa—Web content management and hosting service
	2006-07: The value of this contract over the next five years is £6 million.
	 5. BT—External applications hosting
	This annually renewable contract is for an application hosting provision designed to be scaleable to meet the requirements of the Department. The charges represent the fluctuation in these requirements. The annual charges were:
	
		
			   Value (£ million) 
			 2002-03 0.306 
			 2003-04 0.5 
			 2004-05 0.374 
			 2005-06 0.3 
			 2006-07 0.3 
		
	
	 6. EDS—Web and application hosting services
	
		
			   Value (£000) 
			 2002-03 162 
			 2003-04 202 
			 2004-05 229

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by her Department on providing information and literature to patients suffering from mental illness about the linked dangers of drugs in the last period for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: The cross government drugs information campaign, FRANK, funded by the Department, Home Office and Department for Education and Skills communicates, primarily to young people aged 11-24, all the known harmful effects of illegal drugs including potential effects on mental health.
	The FRANK helpline, website www.talktofrank.com, television and radio advertising and information literature all include reference to substances for which there is evidence that mental health could be adversely affected, although the campaign does not specifically target people suffering from mental health problems. We are therefore unable to isolate and provide specific costings for delivery of mental health messages within the totality of FRANK messaging.

Ministerial Meetings

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she last met her Scottish counterpart; and what subjects were discussed.

Ivan Lewis: Ministers have regular dialogues with ministerial colleagues in the Scottish Executive, discussing a wide range of issues of mutual interest. It is not our practice to disclose details of such meetings, however, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met with the Scottish Health Minister on 11 October 2005.

New Hospitals

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her Department's press release of 18 August 2006, "Go-ahead for billion pound-plus wave of new NHS Hospitals", when she expects each of the schemes mentioned in the press release to reach financial close.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 13 September 2006
	It is currently anticipated that the schemes announced on the 18 August will reach financial close by the following time periods:
	University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, spring 2007
	South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, autumn 2008
	Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, spring 2007
	Tameside and Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust, spring 2007
	Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust, autumn 2007
	University Hospital Leicester NHS Trust, spring 2008
	Dates for financial close cannot be predicted with absolute certainty and the estimates given here may change as the projects develop.

NHS Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department received earlier estimates from each strategic health authority (SHA) regarding the forecast year-end financial position of each SHA's health community in 2006-07 as at month three of 2006-07, which were different from those which were published in the quarter one financial data for 2006-07 on 11 August 2006.

Ivan Lewis: The 2006-07 quarter one report published the estimated forecast year-end position for the national health service, as at the end of June 2006.
	Reflecting both good financial practice and our performance management regime, NHS financial data is subject to review and quality assurance as part of the normal data collection process.

NHS Outsourcing

Paul Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS organisations outsource administrative services to overseas providers; from where such services are provided; what their total cost was in 2005-06; what steps her Department has taken to promote quality controls in respect of those that involve the inputting of patient data and the drafting of letters to patients; and if she will review the operation of such contracts.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not collected centrally in the form requested. However, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Derek Wyatt) on 29 June 2006,  Official Report, column 620W.

PCT (Leeds)

Paul Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ensure that savings released by the amalgamation of primary care trusts (PCT) in Leeds are reinvested in services in the new Leeds PCT area.

Rosie Winterton: After completion, the reconfiguration is expected to deliver savings of £250 million every year for reinvestment in frontline services, primary care trusts are likely to prioritise investments in the manifesto commitments such as additional palliative care services, improving access to cancer services and developments in mental health services.
	The savings are expected to be realised by the end of 2007 and then every year for reinvestment beginning in 2008-09. Strategic health authorities (SHAs) have been asked to oversee the generation of the savings locally. Each SHA has a cost envelope that it should realise but it is for local determination to work out the best way of achieving these savings.

Pharmacies

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Department is taking in conjunction with the Medicines and Health Regulatory Authority to introduce risk-based regulation for  (a) wholesale and  (b) dispensing pharmacies.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 13 September 2006
	The European Commission in conjunction with European Parliament and the Council of the European Union regulate the production and distribution of medicinal products within the European Economic Area with measures contained in Directive 2001/83/EC as amended relating to medicinal products for human use and their guidelines on good practices.
	The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the government body responsible for the safety and licensing of medicines in the United Kingdom has transposed the regulatory measures contained in Directive 2001/83/EC as amended in respect of the wholesale distribution of medicinal products for human use into the United Kingdom's national legislation for medicines for human use.
	The MHRA inspects the facilities of licensed wholesale dealers of medicines to confirm compliance with the European Commission's guideline on good distribution practice and the United Kingdom's medicines regulations. As the risks associated with the distribution of some categories of medicines are significantly higher than others, different inspection frequencies are applied.
	The approach taken to the regulation and inspection of pharmacies and the dispensing of medicines under the Medicines Act 1968 as amended including the extent to which it is risk based is the responsibility of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

Prescription Charges

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the cost of extending the list of medical conditions which are exempt from prescription charges to include mental illness.

Rosie Winterton: No such assessment has been made. Many people suffering from mental illness will already be entitled to free prescriptions through the extensive exemption arrangements. Patients who are not exempt may purchase a prescription pre payment certificate.
	The charging arrangements have recently been examined by the Health Select Committee which has made a number of recommendations. We are considering these and will respond formally in due course.

Residential Rehabilitation (Drug Treatment)

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was provided to each London borough for the purpose of funding drug residential rehabilitation places in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: Residential drug rehabilitation is one of a number of different structured drug treatment interventions provided to meet the range of needs of drug users, with the remainder being: community-based general practitioner prescribing, community-based specialist prescribing; structured psychosocial interventions; structured day programmes; in-patient drug treatment; and other structured treatment. Drug Action Teams (DATs), have responsibility for commissioning drug treatment services based on assessment of local need. Drug treatment funding available to local DATs, including funding provided via the pooled drug treatment budget (PTB), is not divided between treatment types. Therefore, we are not able to provide the information requested.
	Details of PTB allocations to all London boroughs between 2002-03 and 2006-07 is detailed in the table.
	
		
			  £000 
			   PTB channelled through PCT 
			  DAT  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Barking and Dagenham 777 1,019 1,149 1,430 1,849 
			 Barnet 955 1,205 1,309 1,576 2,030 
			 Bexley 600 759 827 997 1,287 
			 Brent 1,417 1,909 2,201 2,795 3,605 
			 Bromley 716 901 978 1,175 1,510 
			 Camden 2,017 2,466 2,599 3,033 3,914 
			 City of London 14 23 31 44 58 
			 Croydon 1,212 1,565 1,738 2,135 2,753 
			 Ealing 1,794 2,135 2,188 2,480 3,195 
			 Enfield 1,093 1,458 1,669 2,104 2,704 
			 Greenwich 1,449 1,867 2,070 2,538 3,261 
			 Hackney 2,112 2,749 3,077 3,806 4,920 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,340 1,616 1,679 1,931 2,500 
			 Haringey 1,547 2,096 2,430 3,099 3,988 
			 Harrow 542 689 754 914 1,185 
			 Havering 566 711 770 924 1,192 
			 Hillingdon 888 1,038 1,043 1,157 1,494 
			 Hounslow 861 1,041 1,084 1,250 1,612 
			 Islington 2,451 2,950 3,059 3,511 4,507 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1,817 1,999 1,999 2,099 2,699 
			 Kingston upon Thames 658 725 725 761 977 
			 Lambeth 2,439 3,266 3,748 4,739 6,083 
			 Lewisham 2,023 2,586 2,847 3,468 4,469 
			 Merton 804 949 964 1,081 1,389 
			 Newham 2,164 2,984 3,509 4,529 5,801 
			 Redbridge 678 929 1,087 1,398 1,798 
			 Richmond upon Thames 687 756 756 793 1,021 
			 Southwark 2,274 3,052 3,510 4,446 5,739 
			 Sutton 568 662 664 733 940 
			 Tower Hamlets 1,988 2,731 3,202 4,124 5,272 
			 Waltham Forest 958 1,357 1,630 2,141 2,733 
			 Wandsworth 1,663 2,000 2,073 2,378 3,063 
			 Westminster 2,729 3,002 3,002 3,152 4,042 
			 London total(1) 43,801 55,195 60,371 72,741 93,590 
			 (1) These figures do not include funding from local authority community care budgets, which funds many of the drug residential rehabilitation places. Local funding allocations are not collected at a national level so we are not able to provide a breakdown of this spend.

St. Helier Hospital

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what inquiries her Department made concerning the  (a) town and country planning advice on,  (b) legal obstacles to and  (c) affordability of the St. Helier option for siting a critical care hospital in coming to her decision to set out in her letters of (i) 19 December 2005 and (ii) 16 August 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Secretary of State considered advice from the local NHS and from officials, including from solicitor's branch.
	In August 2006 the chief executive of NHS London wrote to Secretary of State outlining developments affecting the proposals for the new hospital at St. Helier. These included the financial position of the local primary care trusts and planning and legal restrictions affecting land at St. Helier. As a consequence, the Secretary of State withdrew her decision of 19 December 2005 and replied asking for a review of the proposals for the new critical care hospital, including the model of care and issues of affordability.

Worthing and Southlands NHS Trust

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will visit the Worthing and Southlands NHS Trust.

Ivan Lewis: An invitation inviting the Secretary of State for Health to Worthing was received by the Department's ministerial visits unit on September 14 and is currently being processed. The invitation will be duly submitted to the Secretary of State for Health for consideration regarding availability.

Business Support

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the 10 largest schemes were in monetary terms on the Small Business Service's Grants and Support Directory in 2005-06; what arrangements are in place to measure each scheme's  (a) impact and  (b) effectiveness; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: As part of the last budget, the Government announced a cross-Government Business Support Simplification Programme to improve the provision of publicly funded business support. The programme will deliver easy-to-access Government support for business—targeted where it will have greatest impact and delivered to get best value for money. Part of the programme's work is to identify the funding across Government from which existing business support schemes flow.
	The impact and effectiveness of existing schemes is monitored and evaluated by individual Departments, Agencies and local government. The programme will draw on this evidence, using a screening tool, which is currently being piloted by central Government and RDAs, to assess Government business support. This work will allow us to ensure that publicly funded support for small business is easier to access and continues to support the growth in start-ups and improve survival rates which are higher than a decade ago.

Cellulosic Ethanol

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what cost analysis he has undertaken on the development of cellulosic ethanol as an alternative fuel source;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to further the development of cellulosic ethanol as a alternative fuel source.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Cellulosic ethanol is a longer term option for transport biofuels.
	The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) will provide significant support to the biofuels industry by ensuring a stable, long-term market for the best biofuels. In designing and consulting on the RTFO the Government published supporting evidence on the costs and benefits of the proposed obligation. The obligation will also support innovation and help develop the lowest-carbon biofuels production methods.
	In the longer term, we intend the RTFO to be able to encourage and reward the development and use of those biofuels (including cellulosic ethanol) which deliver the maximum carbon savings with the minimum environmental impact.
	The Low Carbon Transport Innovations Strategy announced in the Energy Review will also act as a spur to low carbon transport technologies.
	The Department's Technology Programme is also supporting next generation transport biofuels and has supported the following projects to date.
	
		
			  Contractor  Title  DTI value (£) 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine Technology Status Review and Carbon Abatement Potential for Renewable Transport Fuels in the UK 50,731 
			
			 BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd. Hyperthermophilic Proteolytic Fermentation to Generate Ethanol as a Transport Fuel 110,087 
			 BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd. Lipase Alcoholysis of Triglycerides to Produce Biodiesel 93,025 
			
			 TMO Biotec Ltd. Biofuel production from plant biomass derived sugars 234,080.00 
		
	
	The Department has also supported two Global Watch Missions on bioenergy and biofuels which have included work on next generation biofuels and been published in 2006. Both are available from the DTI Publications Unit.
	 Bioenergy: a scoping mission to the USA and Canada. (URN 06/829)
	Global watch mission report: an overview of the current status and future trends of technology development in the area of bioenergy in the USA and Canada, and the relationships with the strategic direction of the US and Canadian federal state/provincial governments
	 Next generation transport biofuels—a mission to the Netherlands, Germany and Finland. (URN 06/1112)
	Global watch mission report to identify and evaluate new process technologies and feedstocks that offer the potential for improvements in the production of biofuels for diesel engine applications.
	The UK is also a member of the International Energy Agency's collaboration on liquid biofuels (Task 39 of IEA Bioenergy)—with DTI funding the membership of British Sugar. The task brings together leading international researchers and industry pioneers looking to increase the penetration of biofuels for transportation into the commercial marketplace. The activities include the technical challenges of biofuel production, as well as the policy and regulatory issues that must be addressed in commercialisation.

Default Costs

Paul Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish responses received by his Department from industry to the report on default charges relating to credit cards and other contracts; and what action he plans to take in reply to the report.

Ian McCartney: The report on default charges is being conducted by the Office of Fair Trading. The OFT have already stated that they believed that credit card default charges had been generally set at a significantly higher level than was considered fair and set a £12 threshold for OFT intervention unless there were exceptional business factors. In response to this, credit card issuers have agreed to reduce their default charges—the majority by almost half.
	As a result of subsequent reduction in charges across the market, the OFT is satisfied that no further intervention is warranted in this area at this time and that this change has brought about substantial benefits for consumers. The OFT remains of the view that the broad principles do read across to the retail banking area and has decided to undertake further work on the application of these principles to bank current accounts. This fact-finding exercise is expected to take between three to six months, at which stage the OFT will consider whether a further detailed investigation of the fairness of individual bank default charges is needed.

Export Licences

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the target time is within which decisions on export licences should be reached; and how many, and what proportion of applications were decided upon within the target period in each of the last three years for which information is available.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government publishes information on the number of export licence applications it has processed, and its performance against target in doing so, in its annual reports on Strategic Export Controls. The Government also publish quarterly licensing and performance information on the Export Control Organisation website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/.

Gas Imports

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will require owners of interconnector capacity and of storage facilities to publish planned levels of utilisation of imported gas three months in advance.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 11 September 2006
	It is the responsibility of Ofgem, as independent regulator, to determine the information required for the effective operation of the market, working within the legislative framework set by Government.
	Against this background, the following information is currently available, which balances the commercial needs of the companies concerned and the needs of the wider market.
	Regulations are in place to ensure capacity holders on the interconnector release unutilised capacity to the secondary traded market as and when available. National Grid publishes storage levels with a one day lag. Utilisation of storage facilities, as with other supply sources is the commercial decision of the capacity holders.
	Ofgem also publish National Grid's Winter Outlook Report which contains aggregated supply and demand data, collected in consultation with industry, by supply source. This includes, but is not limited to, imported gas and storage capacities.

Intellectual Property

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government has plans to introduce a new position of Minister for Intellectual Property.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 13 September 2006
	The Government have no plans, at present, to introduce a new Minister for Intellectual Property. Lord Sainsbury is the Minister with responsibility.

Aircraft Hand Luggage

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why musicians are not permitted to take their instruments onto aeroplanes.

Gillian Merron: My officials have met representatives of professional musicians to discuss their concerns and will be presenting new proposals to representatives of the aviation industry later this week aimed at lessening the burden on both passengers and operators.

Aircraft Hand Luggage

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the effect of the ban on normal size hand luggage from aeroplanes.

Gillian Merron: All measures are under constant review and we are gathering data on the current measures through our on going compliance activity. This is informing our urgent consideration of how the present arrangements might be adjusted.

Channel Tunnel (Freight Trains)

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the number of jobs that would be lost in freight yards at Crewe and Dollands Moor if subsidies for freight operating companies using the Channel Tunnel are withdrawn; what the cost for freight trains using the Channel Tunnel  (a) are until 30 November and  (b) will be after 30 November; and if he will make a statement on the plan to withdraw their subsidies.

Tom Harris: The Department has made no estimate of the number of jobs that would be lost at Crewe and Dollands Moor rail freight yards if subsidies for freight operating companies using the Channel Tunnel are withdrawn.
	Under agreements signed between 1994 and 1996 and extended in June 2005 until 30 November 2006, the British Railways Board is responsible for paying Eurotunnel approximately £26 million per year on behalf of the rail freight company English Welsh and Scottish Railway International (EWSI) for guaranteed Minimum Usage Charges in respect of rail freight flows through the Channel Tunnel.
	If EWSI continues to run freight trains through the Channel Tunnel under the terms of the existing usage contract after the funding agreement expires on 30 November 2006 it will be obliged to pay Eurotunnel usage tolls and operating expenses for the trains it operates. The charges for this will vary according to the number and type of services run each year.

Disused Railways

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what feasibility studies he has carried out to investigate whether any stretch of disused railway could be utilised as a highway to reduce congestion; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many miles of disused railway track bed are undeveloped and available for sale or for an alternative use;
	(3)  what trials  (a) have taken place and  (b) are scheduled to take place on the feasibility of allowing cars to use disused rail lines; where such trials are taking place; and when he expects an evaluation to be carried out.

Tom Harris: We estimate that there are fewer than a hundred miles of redundant trackbed that has not been either retained for possible future use or sold. Much of what remains comprises small parcels of land unsuitable for conversion into roads. The Department has not therefore carried out any recent studies into the possibility of using any of this land in this way.

Rail Services

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will hold an inquiry into  (a) incidents in (i) late August and (ii) early September involving lengthy days for passengers using rail services between London Liverpool Street and Colchester and  (b) the condition and maintenance of the railway track between London Liverpool Street and Colchester; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: One, the Train Operator concerned, and Network Rail have advised that investigations so far indicate the delays were caused by failures of the overhead power lines. They have taken a number of immediate steps to ensure the failures do not recur. Meanwhile they are continuing their investigations with a view to identifying any further measures necessary to achieve a permanent solution.